The New York Jets have had concerns about the right tackle spot throughout the preseason, and on Monday they tried to address that issue by acquiring Jason Smith from the St. Louis Rams, multiple media outlets reported Monday.
In exchange, the Jets gave the Rams offensive tackle Wayne Hunter, who had been part of the problem for the Jets on the offensive line.
In fact, both teams are banking on getting improved play from players who have been disappointments.
Smith was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, but he has not lived up to expectations and recently lost his starting job on the right side to Barry Richardson.
But the Jets are willing to try their luck with Smith. Earlier this summer the Jets acquired another first-round pick, tackle Jeff Otah, hoping to improve their offensive line, but Otah failed the physical.
Hunter was not the answer on the right side for the Jets, losing his starting job to Austin Howard.
Smith took a pay cut during the spring and is guaranteed $4 million this season, $1.55 million more than Hunter.